Noah Simpson is a young man learning the old-fashioned way — hands-on — as an apprentice.
While in Grade 12 at Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School in Orillia, feeling stumped while searching for a co-op job, he asked one of the workers fixing a furnace issue at his home if they would take him.
After a few phone calls, putting on his best duds and, with resume in hand, the 17-year-old sealed the deal at an interview with the interest and enthusiasm he showed to Don Shakell, the owner operator of Shakell Heating and Cooling in Oro-Medonte.
After completing his three-month high school obligation, he worked for the company over the summer of 2022 and, happy with his new path, enrolled in Georgian College’s heating, refrigeration and air-conditioning technician program.
As a child, Simpson said he always liked building things, and ripping them apart, learning skills with his father — from rebuilding a fence to working on a car.
His mentor, Shakell, says he is happy to have such an eager and clear-thinking apprentice.
“College prepares you with practical skills and specific training so that Noah can hit the ground running, potentially making $80,000 a year," said Shakell. "Institutions like Georgian teach them to think, provide the skills and prepare them for work.”
Shakell, despite being in the business for half a century, says he, too, is still learning, going to seminars and taking on-line courses.
“Our industry is changing every day with green initiatives and hybrid systems like natural gas combined with heat pumps," he explained.
Shakell encourages young people to consider the trades.
“There is and will be a huge demand for more technical trades going forward as equipment is so advanced in design," he explained.
But he believes he is delivering something more than employment to Simpson in the form of hands-on experience in the industry.
Statistics Canada predicts that by 2028 approximately 700,000 skilled trades workers will have retired and there will not be enough skilled workers trained to replace them. At least a third of those currently working in the trades in Ontario are 55 or older, noted the agency.
Shakell holds three trades licences — like his father and brother — believing the skills mean he would never have to go hungry or worry about taking care of his family. His father started the business in 1961 and it is still going strong, Shakell said.
Simpson said he is learning every day while working with experienced technicians.
At the age of 19, he is already a certified gas technician with a G2 licence, the standard most veterans have across the industry. Shakell believes he could be the youngest to obtain that qualification.
Simpson is in his final co-op and will complete his Georgian education over the winter semester. He sees himself staying on where he is for at least five years, and then he’s not sure what the future might hold.
“I would love to own my own business one day,” he said.
Shakell says the future is bright for Simpson, who he says is a hard worker with a good attitude.
"This young man has a future regardless of where life leads him," said Shakell, saying the teen "is a positive influence" in the shop.
